TW200835936A - Adhesives inhibiting formation of artifacts in polymer based optical elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Inhibiting formation of optical artifacts in a multi-layer film polarizer of an optical imaging assembly that includes a polarizing beam splitter. The beam splitter may include a multilayer reflective polarizing film having at least two materials, one of which may exhibit birefringence after uniaxial orientation; an adhesive disposed on the multilayer reflective polarizing film; and at least a first prism disposed on the adhesive. The adhesive may include a plasticizer for inhibiting formation of optical artifacts in the polarizing film.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to suppressing the formation of optical defects in a multilayer film polarizer of an optical imaging assembly including a polarizing beam splitter. [Prior Art] A polarized beam splitter (PBS) assembly can be found in a variety of optical imaging assemblies, such as front and back projection systems, projection displays, head-mounted displays, virtual viewers, heads-up displays, optical computing, optical correlation And other similar optical inspection and display systems. The PBs assembly can include at least one multi-layer reflective optical polarizing film (MOF). In general, M〇f is a film based on a multilayer polymer which acts as a polarizer and contains at least two different materials, at least one of which exhibits birefringence after uniaxial orientation. ^1〇1? The film is sandwiched between two turns and acts to reflect the specific polarization of the light while transmitting the vertical polarization. An adhesive is disposed between the surface of the MOF and at least one of the crucibles to provide structural integrity of the PBS assembly and to provide optical coupling. An example of a PBS assembly use is in a liquid crystal (i.e., Lc〇s) rear projection television system. The LCOS rear projection television system produces a relatively high amount of light and heat. The impact of these light levels and heat on the pBS assembly can have a significant adverse effect on the average lifetime of the PB s assembly, especially over time. More specifically, over time, a relatively high amount of light energy and heat can reduce the transmittance of the MOF. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is necessary to extend the optical imaging assembly in a manner that does not directly damage the optical efficiency of the room light (especially < 125223.doc 200835936 using polarizing elements) ) stability and / or service life. The specification includes a polarizing beam splitter comprising a polymer-based polarizing film. The adhesive layer is disposed on the polarizing film and the first optical element is disposed on the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer includes at least one crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component, the amount of the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component being effective to suppress (1) crystal domains, (ii) particles or (iii) combinations thereof which produce optical defects in the polarizing film. form. In another sad form, the present specification provides an optical device comprising a polymer-based photonic element and an adhesive disposed on the optical element. Adhesive d package "Ji Jing inhibits the plasticizer component, the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component can effectively suppress (1) crystal domain, (ii) granule or (iii) combination thereof which causes optical defects in the optical element. Further, in another aspect of the present invention, a polarization beam knife optical state comprising a birefringent film having a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers is provided. The first material layer comprises a selected from the group consisting of Ethylene terephthalate and a polymer of a group consisting of a copolymer of poly(p-methyl) and polyethylene naphthalate. The second material layer comprises a copolyester. The polarizing beam splitter is further included. Up to now, it comprises a first major adjacent to the birefringent film: a soil bottom and an adhesive disposed between the first major surface and the birefringent film. The adhesive comprises at least one crystal inhibiting plasticizer, The amount of crystallization inhibiting plasticizer can effectively inhibit crystallization and/or particle formation in the polarizing film. :: Another aspect of the book provides a method for making a polymer-based optical element < Place the adhesive on the polymer On the 7L piece, the adhesive contains a crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component, and the crystal 125223.doc 200835936 inhibits the amount of the plasticizer component to effectively inhibit optical defects in adjacent polymer-based optical components. Formation of (1) crystalline domains, (ii) particles, or (iii) combinations thereof. The method further includes passing radiation through the adhesive and the optical element, wherein inhibition of the formation of crystalline domains and/or particles in the optical element is inhibited. One aspect of the present specification relates to an adhesive for use in combination with a polymer-based polarizing film for use in, for example, a Cartesian polarizing beam splitter for use in a projection system (&quot In the optical imaging system of PBS"), optical defects are induced in the film. Particularly suitable embodiments of the present invention illustrate the use of PBS that is subjected to continuous exposure under conditions that tend to reduce the stability of the standard PBS assembly and/or use relatively high light and heat conditions. For example, after prolonged use, some M〇F films may be yellowed and charred in a relatively short period of time after the frost begins to form in the MOF film. This rapid and significant failure has received particular attention when used in extremely expensive projection systems such as rear projection television systems. It has been determined that the enthalpy formed in the polarizing film of the PBS assembly can be affected by humidity and the average life in a drier environment is generally lower than the average life in a relatively humid environment. Thus, the average lifespan of the PBS assemblies is significantly reduced when operating at relatively high levels of light irradiance and associated heat, particularly under dry conditions. Although the embodiments described below are described in the context of the projection system, the principles and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto. In contrast, the present invention is more broadly directed to adhesives that are particularly suitable for use in combination with polymer-based optical components, thereby minimizing or eliminating optical defects such as germanium to 125223.doc 200835936. Thus the optical imaging system described herein exemplifies many different types of applications to which the present invention applies. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) assembly. PBS is always an optical component that splits incident light into a first (transmissive) polarizing component and a second (reflective) polarizing component. The PBS assembly 1 〇 includes a polymer-based film-type multilayer reflective polarizing film 12; at least one adhesive layer 14 adhered between mutually opposing surfaces of the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 and an optical substrate such as 稜鏡16, At least one adhesive layer 18 adhered between mutually opposing surfaces of the multilayer reflective polarizing film 丨2 and an optical substrate such as 稜鏡20. The pBs assembly 10 is similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 6,486,997, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Although the PBS assembly 10 illustrates that the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 is sandwiched between 稜鏡16 and 2〇', it should be understood that the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 may adhere only to one of the surfaces of the optical iridium. The multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 can act as a polarizer and can contain at least two different materials, at least one of which exhibits birefringence after uniaxial orientation. Although depicted as including two turns 16 and 2, the PBs assembly 1 can include any suitable optical component, such as an optical substrate or the like disposed on the face or both sides of the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12. The crucibles 16 and 20 can be constructed of any light transmissive material having a refractive index suitable for achieving the desired purpose of the PBS assembly. The enthalpy should have a refractive index that is less than the refractive index that will produce total internal reflection conditions for a beam having the desired f-number. Although other materials are used, the prisms 16 and 2 are usually made of isotropic material 125223.doc 200835936. Typical materials used as crucibles include, but are not limited to, ceramics, glass, and polymers. For environmental protection purposes, a more specific type of glass includes glass that does not contain oxidized kernels and may contain other metal oxides such as boron oxide. A more commercial example is available from Schott, Corp. (Dureya, PA, USA), is error free and has about! .5 84 refractive index of commercially available glass N-SK-5. More specifically, the PBS assembly 10 can have 稜鏡16 and 稜鏡2〇.稜鏡 16 is the first to receive the incident light from the light source. The adhesive has an additive which inhibits the formation of optical defects which weaken the transmittance of the polymer-based optical element when the PB S assembly is subjected to high intensity light for a long period of exposure time. The adhesive having the additives is preferably placed at least between the crucible 16 closest to the light source and the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12. Polarizing Element As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 is a polarizer such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 6,6,9,795, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. It is used to distinguish between nominally s-polarized light and p-polarized light. In particular, the multilayer reflective 'polarizing film 12 can be birefringent and can have at least two materials having different refractive indices, one of which exhibits birefringence after uniaxial orientation. In one embodiment, the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 includes a plurality of stacked first and second light transmissive layers 22a n (collectively 22) and 24a_n (collectively 24) disposed between the adhesive layers 14, 18. . While the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 can typically comprise hundreds of layers, this simplified illustration illustrates the principle of operation of the polarizer. Each of the first and second layers (22, 24) has a refractive index in the X, y, and z directions. For example, the first layer 22 may have a first set of refractive indices η22χ, n22y, nnz, and the second layer 24 may each have a second set of refractive indices η24χ, η2” and 125223.doc -10- 200835936 n24z 0 multilayer reflection Another aspect of the polarizing film 12 is that the materials of the first and second layers 22, 24 are initially isotropic (i.e., have substantially similar refractive indices in X, direction) and are uniaxially oriented, such At least one of the materials exhibits birefringence. There are three possible combinations: (1) the first material exhibits birefringence while the second material remains isotropic, (2) the first material remains isotropic and the second material exhibits birefringence, And (3) both the first and second materials exhibit birefringence. In the preferred embodiment, after uniaxial orientation, the first material has birefringence and undergoes an increase in refractive index along the extension direction and a second The material is isotropic, and the refractive index difference between the first and second materials is usually between the specified values 〇15 and 〇·25 in the direction of extension. It will be understood that a specific optical system to be constructed is considered (such as pBS assembly 1〇) Optical properties, multi-layer The composition of the reflective polarizing film 12 can vary significantly. As described, the broad scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific composition of the polymeric multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 or its method of manufacture. Thus, the multilayer reflective polarization in this embodiment The description of film 12 is for an optical system. The pBS assembly 1 is only one of many useful examples. In a preferred embodiment, the polarizing film has a first and second polymer, respectively. And the second layer 22, 24. For example, the first layer 22 can be a relatively high index layer and the second layer 24 can be a low index layer. The relative values are the X of the reflective layer 12 of the reflective layer. Indexes observed in the axial direction. A number of relatively high and low index polymeric materials can be used. In this embodiment, the relatively indexable polymer in the first layer 22 can be a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film. The low index second layer 24 may be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Others 125223.doc -11- 200835936 Suitable polymeric materials may be used as the birefringent/isotropic layer. Or create an index of the first and second layers 22, 24 to show what is being achieved The desired optical properties necessary to determine the type and extent of optical properties, such as polarization. For example, to improve the optical properties of at least one of the first or second layers 22, 24, in a known manner The layer extends uniaxially in a specified direction whereby, for example, the first layer 22 can have an improved overall refractive index. A plurality of low index polymeric materials can generally be stretched. A typical low index polymeric film can be agglomerated. Ethylene terephthalate (PET) film. An example of a material that can be used to fabricate the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 is described with reference to commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,609,795. When PET is used as a relatively high index layer, it is used as a low Suitable polymers for the index layer are as follows. It may be desirable for the low index polymer to remain isotropic after uniaxial orientation at typical PET draw temperatures. Thus, the low index polymer can have a glass transition temperature (i.e., less than about 80 ° C) below the glass transition temperature of PET. The low refractive index polymer may have one or more of the following: (1) thermal stability at PET refining treatment temperature, (2) uv stability or UVA protection, and (3) relatively high transparency (ie, relatively high) Transmittance and low absorptivity), (4) close enough to PET to achieve rheological properties of stable flow during co-extrusion, (5) good interlayer adhesion to PET, (low dispersion, and (7) Stretchability in the absence of birefringence (i.e., ability to orient). The invention encompasses other types of polymer-based optical elements or polarizers, such as retardation films, absorbing polarizers, PEN-containing or polycarbonate-containing (PC) polarizers, wavelength plates, color filters, mirrors, color mirrors, and other suitable types. Obviously, other polymeric materials are possible, and other than the criteria discussed herein can be used. Polymerization 125223.doc -12- 200835936 Materials as the first and second material layers. Adhesives An embodiment of the adhesive layer 14 made in accordance with the teachings of the present specification is also described with reference to Figure 2. The adhesive layer 14 can be used for bonding Such as PBS assembly Any suitable optical or transparent adhesive composition of the photon element>. As used herein, "transparent" means that the layer of transparent adhesive composition must allow for the incidence to pass through one of the effective portions. The present specification contemplates that it is not only suitable for visible light but is intended to include crystallization or particle formation that inhibits defects that cause transmission to wavelengths outside the visible spectral range. The defects that are minimized or eliminated are primarily due to sizes greater than about 1 〇〇 nm. The crystallization domain and/or the particles cause light scattering. The scattering usually occurs when the crystal domain and/or the size of the particles is about 1/4 wavelength (for example, 100 nm), and thus causes blushing to occur in the polarizing film. As used in this application, the term "crystalline domain" means a nodule/particle formed in a polymer that is large enough to form a nodule of the crucible and includes a summary of the crystalline polymer chain and/or its fragments. The adhesive composition of the present specification contains one or more plasticizer components, and the amount of the plasticizer component is effective to suppress the formation of a polymer-based optical component mainly in the PBS assembly. Optical defects. Although polymer-based PBS optical elements are discussed, it is to be understood that the present invention relates to the use of one or more plasticizer components in an adhesive that acts to inhibit any adhesion. Crystalline inhibitors that form relatively large crystalline domains and/or particles (eg, 〇1 μΜ to 〇·3 ^% or 1 〇〇 to 3 〇〇 nanometers) in a polymer-based optical component to the adhesive Thus, optical defects caused by crystallization and/or particle formation caused by exposure to a certain period of radiation are suppressed by 125223.doc -13 - 200835936. For example, 'this specific radiation may include having a blue color. Light in the range or beyond the wavelength of the blue range (eg, longer than 420 nm) has a light intensity that is significantly higher than the light intensity that the polarizing film would experience in the reference backside projection TV. As a result, the reduction in defects is extended to achieve the stability and/or useful life of the optical component for which it is intended. The transparent adhesive composition resin composition may be mainly acrylic acid, vinyl, epoxide, epoxy resin or urethane. In this embodiment, it may be a curable resin such as a transparent or optical adhesive resin composition. The transparent or optical adhesive resin composition has high strength and low viscosity and contains an additive which allows it to be cured by exposure to high temperatures or exposure to UV and visible light for a relatively short period of time. Other suitable curing agents are contemplated by the present invention. The transparent adhesive composition can also be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The transparent adhesive resin composition may comprise one or more amounts of an oxygen resin which may vary depending on the desired properties and use of the resulting composition. In this aspect, typical suitable epoxy transparent resins include, but are not limited to, those selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional or monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic epoxy resins and curing agents containing polyfunctional or monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic alcohols or amines. The group of epoxy resins. The transparent adhesive resin composition for use in such PBS systems may contain other additives in addition to one or more of the plasticizer components and additives described above. These other additives may include, for example, an excited state inhibitor. , light stabilizer for anti-and agent and free radical trapping agent. The transparent adhesive resin composition may also contain one or more appropriate amounts of curing agents. In this embodiment, the 'transparent adhesive resin composition' is disposed in a thin layer on the surface. It may be applied in any suitable manner such as bar coating or in a form that allows diffusion to be determined 125223.doc • 14 - 200835936. Typically, the thickness of the transparent adhesive resin package applied can range from about 1 _ to about 200 μΜ. More typically, the thickness can range from about 10 μΜ to about 6 〇 _. The transparent adhesive is used for the desired composition and the composition of the composition, and the thickness of the composition is used. If the thickness is too thin, it can migrate into the polarization enthalpy to suppress the shortage of plasticizer in which optical defects are formed.

Although the exemplary embodiments herein can be described in the context of the adhesive for transferring plasticizers, the principles and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto. In contrast, the present invention is more broadly directed to compositions which may be particularly suitable for allowing an effective amount of plasticizer migration to retard erbium formation by preventing or inhibiting crystallization. The composition can also be clearly understood from the terms used in this application. It will also be appreciated that the plasticizer can be applied directly, such as by coating or other suitable means. Plasticizers According to one aspect of the present specification, one or more plasticizer components can be included in the adhesive. The inventors of the present invention have concluded that optical defects, such as germanium, are induced in the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 when the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 is exposed to a relatively high degree of incident radiant energy and heat. These relative degrees of embarrassment are experienced in, for example, lc〇S projection systems. The disadvantages of the polymer-based optical components are attributed to the luminous flux that has caused the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 to undergo chain scission caused by, for example, known Nonish cracking and other reactions. As a result, it has been observed that this tends to lower the molecular weight (MW), thereby producing a cleavage section of the chain which is more mobile than the initial polymer chain. It is inferred that these lower MW segments tend to concentrate or coalesce over time in the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 125223.doc -15-200835936. This concentration or coalescence tends to generate flaws in the multilayer reflective film 12, thereby weakening the stability and transmittance of the multilayer reflective film 12. Light raccoon formation also allows light to scatter, allowing high intensity light to interact more efficiently with the polymer, which effectively increases damage. The increased mobility and increasing concentration of the lower Mw species allows, for example, the PET and/or pEN fraction to be even further concentrated to the extent that the portions are crystalline or form particles. Further inferring the heat increases the movement of the lower MW species and enables the fracture reaction to be achieved, thereby increasing the rate of crystallization. The resulting particles are finally grown to a size which is generated in the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 when observed, and then whitish. This situation is very different from the typical degradation of this type of polymer, such as when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Typically, yellowing is considered the first optical sign of photo/thermal induced degradation and there are specific countermeasures based on absorbing unwanted light and minimizing the yellow color produced in the film. For example, a ruthenium inhibitor inhibits photodegradation of an optical polymer film. However, this specification clarifies different countermeasures that will prevent atypical enthalpy (i.e., blushing) that is produced in the PBS assembly due to crystallization or particle formation. The crystallization inhibitor of the present invention is a plasticizer which tends to inhibit the growth of such crystals or particles in the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12. According to the invention, the plasticizer is selected from the general group. Some examples of typical plasticizers are diols such as ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, di(ethylene glycol) diethyl ether and triethylene glycol, such as di(2-ethylhexyl adipate) and benzoic acid. An aromatic or aliphatic ester of bis(ethylene glycol ester) and water. The plasticizer tends to migrate between the adhesive layer and the multilayer reflective polarizing film 12 adhered thereto and thereby enter the film, thereby significantly in the adjacent film layer 125223.doc -16-200835936 Reduce, for example, crystallization of the ruthenium and/or PEN moiety. The amount of plasticizer and migration ability are important parameters for delayed enthalpy formation. It will be appreciated that more than one plasticizer can be used in accordance with the present specification. In a real case, both ethylene glycol and water can be used. We believe that water prevents crystallization by physically inserting itself between two potentially crystallizable materials, (8) by blocking and sterically hindering. Other combinations of plasticizer components can be used. Examples of such combinations include, but are not limited to, broad diols and

Water; a diol and an aromatic or aliphatic moiety that interacts with water; and with the polymer that constitutes M〇F. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent adhesive tree used in the present application contains: or a plurality of epoxy resins up to about 99.5 weights based on the total weight of the composition. The epoxy resin composition of the present specification may comprise: or a plurality of from about 75% by weight to about % by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Oxygen resin. Further, the epoxy resin composition of the present invention may comprise about 94 weight percent of an epoxy resin based on the total weight of the composition. Lili. The plasticizer can be present in the permeable adhesive resin composition in an amount to prevent the formation of defects which are recorded in the desired period. VII. One of the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer components used in the adhesive material can be widely used, and the amount of fish is wide and lacks, but it is usually between about five and 30. Reset 〇/0 between the pots. 〆 & 于 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 'decane, antioxidants, free radicals 125223.doc 17- 200835936 Repellents, excited state inhibitors and uv absorbers and the like to reduce the weight and / or cost of the epoxy resin composition, adjust the viscosity, provide Additional reinforcement, improved transparency of the epoxy resin composition and optical assembly, and/or stabilization of the PB S assembly to avoid degradation. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an optical imager system in which system 4 includes a light source 412, such as an arc lamp 414 having a reflector 416 that directs light 418 forwardly. Light source 412 can also be a solid state light source such as a light emitting diode or a laser source. System 410 also includes a PBS 420, such as a single membrane or multi-membrane PBS as described herein. A light system having X polarization (i.e., polarized in a direction parallel to the X axis) is represented by a circled X. A light system having y polarization (i.e., polarization in a direction parallel to the y-axis) is indicated by a solid arrow. The solid line represents the incident light, and the dashed line represents the light that has been reflected back by the reflective imager 426 with a modified polarization state. The illumination optics 422 can be used to adjust the light provided by the source 412 prior to illuminating the PBS 420. The adjustment optics 422 changes the characteristics of the light emitted by the source 412 to the desired characteristics of the projection system. For example, conditioning optics 422 can change any of the divergence, optical polarization, and spectrum. The 5 week 卽 optics 422 can include, for example, one or more lenses, a polarization converter, a pre-polarizer, and/or a filter to remove unwanted ultraviolet or infrared light. The X-polarized component of light is reflected by PBS 42〇 to reflective imager 426. The liquid crystal mode of the reflective imager 426 can be a smectic, nematic or some other suitable type of reflective imager. If the reflective imager 426 is smectic, the reflective imager 426 can be a strongly induced liquid crystal display (Flcd). Reflective imager 426 reflects and modulates the imaging beam having y polarization. Reflected y-polarization 125223.doc -18- 200835936 Light is transmitted through PBS 420 and projected by projection lens system 428, taking into account all components between projection lens system 428 and the imager, projection lens system 428 The design is typically optimized for each particular optical system. Controller 452 is coupled to reflective imager 426 to control the operation of reflective imager 426. Typically, controller 452 activates the different pixels of reflective imager 426 to produce an image of the reflected light. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a multi-imager projection system 5〇〇. Light 502 is emitted from light source 504. Light source 504 can be an arc or incandescent lamp or any other suitable source for generating light suitable for projecting a scene. Light source 504 may be surrounded by a reflector 506 such as an elliptical reflector (as shown), a parabolic reflector or the like to increase the amount of light directed to the projection engine. Light 502 is typically processed prior to being divided into different ribbons. For example, light 502 can be passed through optional pre-polarizer 5〇8 such that only light having the desired polarization is directed to the projection engine. The pre-polarizer can be in the form of a reflective polarizer such that the reflected light of the undesired polarization state is redirected to the source 5 〇 4 φ for recycling. Light 502 can also be homogenized such that the imager in the projection engine is evenly illuminated. One method of homogenizing the light 5〇2 is to pass the light 5〇2 through the reflective channel 510, but it should be understood that other methods can be used to homogenize the light. - In the illustrated embodiment, the homogenized light 512 passes through the first lens 514 to reduce the divergence angle. The homogenized light 512 is then incident on a first color separator 516, which may be, for example, a dielectric film filter. The first color separator 516 separates the light 518 in the first ribbon from the remaining light 520. The light 518 in the first ribbon can be passed through the second lens 522 and optionally through the 125223.doc -19-200835936 third lens 523 to control the light 5 1 8 in the first ribbon to be incident on the first pBS. Beam size on 524. Light 518 is transmitted from first PBS 524 to first imager 526. Imager 526 reflects the imaged light 528 of the polarization state transmitted through PBS 524 into X-square color combiner 530. Imager 526 can include one or more compensating elements, such as retarder elements, to provide additional polarization rotation and thereby increase the contrast of the image light. The remaining light 520 can be passed through the fourth lens 532. The remaining light 52 is then incident on a second color separator 534 (e.g., a thin film filter or the like) to produce a beam 53 in the second ribbon and a beam 538 in the third ribbon. Light beam 536 in the second ribbon is directed to second imager 540 via second PBS 542. The second imager 540 directs the image light 544 in the second ribbon to the X-block color combiner 530. Light beam 538 in the third ribbon is directed to third imager 546 via third PBS 548. The third imager 546 directs the image light 550 in the third ribbon to the X-square color combiner 530. Image light 528, 544, and 550 in the first, second, and third ribbons are combined in X-block color combiner 530 and directed to projection optics 552 as a full-color image beam. Polarization rotation optics 554 (eg, a half wave retarder or the like) may be provided between PBS 524, 542, and 548 and X block color combiner 530 to control the combined light in X-square color combiner 530 polarization. In the illustrated embodiment, polarization rotating optics 554 are disposed between X-square color combiner 530 and first PBS 524 and third PBS 548. Any, two or all of PBS 524, 542 and 548 may comprise one or more multilayer reflective polarizing films as described herein. 125223.doc -20- 200835936 w understands the use of variants of the illustrated embodiment. For example, pB$ can transmit light into the imager and then reflect the image light instead of reflecting the light into the imaged and then transmitting the image. The projection system described above is only a single example of a system that can utilize a multi-membrane PBS utilizing the present invention. EXAMPLE The polyester multilayer reflective polarizing film used is structurally similar. Adhesives are manufactured according to the general method of making adhesives. Of course, each of these adhesives represents a different example of at least one crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component of the present invention. Experimental Setup General The PBS assembly was tested with a light illuminating device that focused the substantial light onto a multilayer optical film (MOF) (in PBS). The PBS contains a MOF film designed to reflect, and blue light, a specific polarization. The incident light is filtered to deliver a band of light in the blue range' which has a short wavelength limit of about 434 nm and a long wavelength limit of about 514 nm (transmittance of 5〇% for a given wavelength limit). Descriptive quantification of the intensity of light incident on a test sample is referred to as the intensity ratio. This ratio compares the deadliest watts per square millimeter experienced by the test PBS to the watts per square millimeter experienced by the PBS in the reference rear projection television. The watts per square millimeter', experienced, is the combination of the actual light intensity delivered to the PBS by the lamp/optics configuration and the number of times light travels to and from the PBS. In our typical accelerated test, the pBS test film experienced about 12 times the light intensity of the PBS of the reference back projection TV; this is called the "12x" test, where 12x refers to this intensity ratio between the test object and the reference TV. . Further explanation of the intensity ratio calculation can be found in the public paper C.L. 125223.doc -21- 200835936

Bruzzone, J.J. Schneider, and S.K. Eckhardt, "6.1 Photostability of Polymeric Cartesian Polarizing Beam

Splitters 1', SID 04 Digest, pp. 60-63 (2004). The external temperature of the PBS square assembly was artificially controlled to about 42 for all samples. (: The PBS was visually observed, and the PBS was also monitored via the transmitted UV/visible spectrum of the PB S assembly periodically acquired during the experiment. The spectra allowed calculation of b* (typical quantification of yellowness) The failure was determined by an unacceptable color change reflected in the b* color value of 3.75. In addition to the precise blending difference, the adhesive was mixed in a similar manner for each sample. The additive was first dissolved in the amine. The main curing agent was then mixed with the epoxy resin. The adhesive was allowed to stand for an hour to remove the bubbles and then used to construct the PBS. The PBS assembly was constructed in the same manner for all samples. Applying a fixed amount of adhesive droplets to the exit crucible, applying the film to the adhesive, applying the adhesive droplets to the film, and covering with the inlet crucible. By wiping slightly with acetone The surface of the crucible was used to clean the PBS and the assembly was then cured in an oven at 6 ° C for 24 hours. Samples 1 to 15 Samples 1 to 15 were prepared at an estimated humidity of 1〇·2〇% RH. Three other possible plasticizers The plasticizer is mixed into an epoxy resin-based adhesive (containing a light stabilizer). The plasticizer structure is shown as follows: Plasticizer (non-water) is used in the experiment to prolong the accelerated life 125223.doc - 22- 200835936

The numerical data in the list below is divided into four blocks. The actual time to failure (hours) (AHTF)" is the time elapsed until the PBS assembly develops a b* color of 3 75." Acceleration intensity ratio ("X"), the average experienced by the test sample The light intensity is relative to the average light intensity experienced by the PBS in the reference rear projection television. "(AHTF)*("X")" is the actual failure hours multiplied by the intensity ratio. , as the estimated life of the ratio of the average of the control samples, is the ratio of the sample (AHTF)*(X") to the control value average of 11461. It is a measure of how many times the sample life is over the life of the control. The control refers to a film and an adhesive which are not added with a plasticizer or untreated, see sample work to 5. The vacuum treated membrane (see samples 6 and 7) refers to a membrane that was subjected to 〇 1 Torr for 2 days and immediately used to construct PBS. This vacuum treatment is intended to simulate a film that undergoes extremely dry conditions prior to testing. The data in Table 1 shows that the plasticizer extends the accelerated life of the PBS assembly. Samples containing plasticizers provide about 12 to 16 times the life of the control. The addition of water to the adhesive also provides an increased life. In actual use, PBS will need to play a role in the life of the rear projection 7¥. Plasticizers which are considered to have a lower volatility than water are important tools because the water concentration can vary with the environment over the actual period of use. The vacuum treated film exhibited a lower life than the control. This helps to show that water shortages (plasticizers) are detrimental to life. Although the environment: degree can balance the water concentration in the membrane, the vacuum sample shows that this balance is not '125223.doc -23- 200835936 so fast that the effect of the initial extreme drying cannot be completely overcome during the duration of the accelerated test. Table 1. Lifetime provided by various samples Accelerated intensity ratio ("X,,)

7 Samples 1 to 6 of 745 11.7 121 i containing a sample containing 3 additional water 3___τ containing a sample added to the containing yttrium containing ι〇ίϋ (AHTFV(,,ΧΠ) 14035 10258 9865 13634 11414 9663 11461 9015 745 1407 1620 1357 106 120 7897 16884 17496 16284 12 14 15 Adding to the second sample τ containing 30% by weight added to the adhesive ^ 2 ^ (2-ethylhexyl ester 〇 3 has 20 tables ^ Add to sample

20% by weight of sample added to the adhesive seven pairs T

106 13939 15912 1620 1811 104 10 16848 18110 Figure 6 illustrating the life versus yellowness chart (comparing the lifespan of the pBs assembly with the b $ value) Figure 6 illustrates the use of a multilayer film made in accordance with the present invention. And the service life of the pBS assembly of the adhesive is significantly increased by one κ. For the pBS assembly that does not use the multilayer film and adhesive of the present invention 125223.doc -24. 200835936, the beginning of the yellowing occurs in After about 750 hours. This is in sharp contrast to the yellowing of the PBS assembly after one of the crystallization inhibiting plasticizers of the present invention (i.e., 1% by weight of ethylene glycol) delays the onset of yellowing to about 1300 hours. . The invention can be modified and altered without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited by the foregoing aspects, but is to be construed as being BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a PB S having a multilayer reflective polarizing film; FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an enlarged cross section of a multilayer reflective polarizing film and an adhesive; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates An enlarged perspective of a portion of a multilayer reflective polarizing film _, FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a projection system; FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another projection system; and FIG. 6 illustrates a pBS having one or more adhesives and without the (etc.) Sticky Pharmacy PBS for comparison chart. [Main component symbol description] 10 Polarized beam splitter assembly 12 Multi-layer reflective polarizing film 14 Adhesive layer 16 稜鏡 125223.doc -25- 200835936

18 adhesive layer 20 稜鏡 22 first light transmitting layer 22a first light transmitting layer 22b first light transmitting layer 22c first light transmitting layer 24 second light transmitting layer 24a second light transmitting layer 24b second light transmitting layer 24c Two Light Transmissive Layer 410 Optical Imager System 412 Light Source 414 Arc Light 416 Reflector 418 Light 420 PBS 422 Adjustment Optics 426 Reflection Imager 428 Projection Lens System 452 Controller 500 Multi Imager Projection System 502 Light 504 Light Source 506 Reflector 125223 .doc -26- 200835936

508 pre-polarizer 510 reflective channel 512 homogenizing light 514 first lens 516 first color separator 518 light 520 remaining light 522 second lens 523 third lens 524 first PBS 526 first imager 528 image light 530 X square Color combiner 532 fourth lens 534 second color separator 536 beam 538 beam 540 second imager 542 second PBS 544 image light 546 third imager 548 third PBS 550 image light 552 projection optics 125223.doc -27 - 200835936 554 Polarization Rotating Optics ^22x Refractive Index n22y Refractive Index n22z Refractive Index ^24x Refractive Index I^24y Refractive Index ^24z Refractive Index X Direction Y Direction z Direction

125223.doc -28-

Claims (1)

200835936 X. Patent application scope: 1. A polarizing beam splitter comprising: a polymer-based polarizing film; an adhesive layer disposed on the polarizing film; and a first-optical component disposed on the adhesive layer, Wherein the adhesive layer comprises a crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component, the amount of the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component being effective to suppress (1) crystal domains, (ii) particles or (iii) combinations thereof which produce optical defects in the polarizing film. Formation. 2_ The polarizing beam splitter of claim 1, further comprising a second plasticizer component in the adhesive layer. 3. The polarizing beam splitter of claim 2, wherein the first plasticizer component and the second plasticizer component are selected from the group consisting of, for example, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, di(ethylene glycol) diethyl ether, and A group of ethylene glycol diols, such as aromatic or aliphatic esters of di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and di(ethylene glycol) benzoate, and water. A polarizing beam splitter according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of a multi-s or monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic epoxy resin and a curing agent containing a polyfunctional fluorene monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic alcohol or amine. Group. The polarizing beam splitter of claim 1, wherein the amount of the first plasticizer component included in the adhesive varies between about 1% by weight and % by weight of the adhesive layer. 6. The polarizing beam splitter of claim 5, wherein the amount of the first plasticizer component included in the adhesive varies between about 5% by weight and 5% by weight of the adhesive layer. 7. The polarizing beam splitter of claim 1, wherein the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer inhibits (1) crystalline domains, (ii) particles or (iii) when subjected to light having a wavelength longer than about 125223.doc 200835936 420 nm The formation of its combination. 8. The polarizing beam splitter of claim 3, wherein the polarizing film is a multilayer polymeric polarizing film. 9. An optical device comprising: a polymer-based optical component; an adhesive disposed on the optical component, wherein the adhesive comprises a crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component, the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer group The amount may be effective to suppress the formation of (1) crystal domains, (8) particles or (iii) combinations thereof which cause optical defects in the optical element. Ίο. A transparent adhesive composition comprising a crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component, the amount of crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component effective to inhibit optical generation in adjacent polymer-based optical components Formation of defects (1) crystalline domains, (ii) particles or (iii) combinations thereof. 11. The transparent adhesive composition of claim 10, wherein the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component is selected from the group consisting of glycols such as ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, di(ethylene glycol) diethyl ether and triethylene glycol, such as A group of aromatic or aliphatic esters of adipic acid di(2-ethylhexanoic acid) and bis(ethylene glycol ester) and water. 12. The transparent adhesive composition of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional or monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic epoxy resins and polyfunctional or monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic alcohols or amines. A group of curing agents. 13. The transparent adhesive composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of the plasticizer component included in the adhesive varies between about 1% by weight and about 3% by weight of the adhesive layer. 14. The transparent adhesive composition of claim 13, wherein the amount of the plasticizer component included in the adhesive 125223.doc 200835936 varies between about 5% by weight and 5% by weight of the adhesive layer. a polarized beam splitter comprising: (a) a birefringent film comprising a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers, wherein the first material layers comprise one selected from the group consisting of polyparaphenylene a polymer of a group consisting of ethylene dicarboxylate and a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate and the second material layers comprise a copolyester; (b) at least one comprising adjacency a first major surface substrate of the birefringent film; and (c) an adhesive disposed between the first major surface and the birefringent film, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one crystallization inhibiting plasticizer, The amount of crystallization inhibiting plasticizer is effective to control migration of the plasticizer into at least one adjacent optical polarizing film to inhibit crystallization in the polarizing film. An optical assembly comprising: (a) a polarizing beam splitter as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first path is defined for light of a first polarization state via the polarizing beam splitter; and (b) at least one An imager disposed to reflect light back to the polarizing beam splitter, wherein a portion of the light received by the at least one imager is rotated by polarization, and the polarized rotating light propagates from the imager along the second path and through the image Polarized beam splitter. 17. A projection system comprising: (a) a light source that produces light; (b) an adjustment optics that modulates light from the source; (c) applies an image to the conditioned light from the conditioning optics An imaging core that forms image light, the imaging core including at least one polarizing beam splitter as claimed and at least one imager; and (d) a projection lens system that projects the image light from the imaging core. 125223.doc 200835936 18 - A method for stabilizing a polymer-based optical component, the method comprising: placing a material on a polymer-based optical component comprising a crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component The amount of the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component is effective for suppressing formation of (1) crystal domains, (ii) particles or (iii) combinations of optical defects in adjacent polymer-based optical elements. And passing the wheel through the material and the optical component. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the material comprises an adhesive. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the disposing comprises an adhesive layer, wherein the crystallization inhibiting plasticizer component is selected from the group consisting of, for example, ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, di(ethylene glycol) acetamethylene and triethylene glycol Alcohol diol, aromatic or aliphatic vinegar such as adipic acid di(2·ethinium hexate) and |methyl-(ethylene glycol vinegar) and water 21. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the agent component is included in the adhesive in the adhesive layer as in claim 20, the component is included in the adhesive in the adhesive layer. Included is a variation between about 1% by weight and 3% by weight of the crystallization inhibiting plasticization wherein the setting comprises about 1% by weight and 5 parts by weight of the crystallization inhibiting plasticization. Between the changes, the method of claim 21, or the monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic or aliphatic alcohol or amine 24. The wavelength of the method of claim 18. Wherein the placement comprises an adhesive having a group selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional oxy-acid resins and polyfunctional or monofunctional curing agents. Where the passing radiation has a length longer than about 420 nm 125223.doc